Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 01059 — North Amherst, MA

ZIP code 01059 (North Amherst, Hampshire County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 01059 is

tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 5
First frostOct 8
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

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Loading the forecast for North Amherst, MA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in North Amherst, MA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Amherst, MA — 2 miles away, elevation 144 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 01059

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 8) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 01059 came on Apr 3 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in North Amherst, MA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 01059 is Amostown — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Amostown-Windsor silty substratum-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 01059; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Amherst, MA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,598base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall37 inper year; 54 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 14 °F 34°14° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.36 in precipitation, 8.1 in snowfall 3.4❄8 JanFebruary: 2.93 in precipitation, 11 in snowfall 2.9❄11 FebMarch: 3.47 in precipitation, 7.3 in snowfall 3.5❄7 MarApril: 3.79 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 3.8❄1 AprMay: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.38 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.4❄2 NovDecember: 3.89 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 3.9❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Amherst, MA (2 mi away); precipitation: Amherst, MA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

010036a
Amherst, MA · 1 mi
010046a
Amherst, MA · 2 mi
013756a
Sunderland, MA · 4 mi
010026a
Amherst, MA · 4 mi
010356a
Hadley, MA · 4 mi
010386a
Hatfield, MA · 4 mi
010546a
Leverett, MA · 5 mi
010666a
North Hatfield, MA · 5 mi

Massachusetts planting zones →

Questions about 01059

What planting zone is ZIP code 01059?

ZIP code 01059 (North Amherst, MA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in North Amherst, MA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 01059 is May 5; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Amherst station.

When is the first frost in North Amherst, MA?

The median first fall frost near 01059 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 01059?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 01059 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year and 37 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Amherst station).

How hot do summers get in North Amherst, MA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 01059 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Amostown at the center of ZIP 01059: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in North Amherst, MA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 01059 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Amherst, MA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 01059 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 01059 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 01059 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.